Pressure

The stranger talked to William a lot, so much so that William later wanted to take out a notebook to remember the things he said that he couldn't understand at the moment.

William left the Broken Barrel Hotel when the bar was about to close.

The muddy road underfoot was a mixture of excrement and mud, emitting a peculiar, nauseating smell.

The sound of coughing kept coming from the haphazardly pieced-together wooden shacks around them. The coughs sounded like they were coughing up their lungs and heart.

Like Lina, people living in this environment are susceptible to its effects if they are even slightly weak.

He would often see some emaciated children, barefoot, wading through mud and water, rummaging through piles of foul-smelling garbage.

There were also elderly people lying on the cold, muddy ground, covered in mosquitoes, with no one caring whether they were alive or not.

It seemed William had started moving around, and the air was filled with the smells of mold, stench, and feces, making his throat tighten. He instinctively covered his mouth and nose and quickly left the area.

He dared not hear the coughs of the poor, nor look at the faces of the children reaching out to him. Every glance revealed numb faces, devoid of hope, filled only with endless suffering and torment.

But when he crossed the boundary between the slums and the commercial district, the world before him instantly changed, as if he had stepped from hell into another world.

The streets became clean and tidy, with clean drainage ditches on both sides of the stone-paved road, which were swept clean.

The pedestrians were all polite, neatly dressed, but walking in a hurry.

Some people were dressed neatly, but their actions and words were always cautious and respectful. Most of them were servants from the noble district or servants who worked for the nobles, and they treated everyone this way.

William was very curious to know what they were really like in private.

Thinking about this, William felt somewhat discouraged. These noble gentlemen really knew how to pick their moments.

After the fall of Lordaeron's capital, a significant number of nobles perished at Arthas's hands. The rest, for various reasons, escaped the massacre because they missed the ceremony welcoming his triumphant return.

However, these deceased nobles all had descendants.

Titles of nobility are hereditary.

Upon learning that a small town had sprung up into a city overnight during the Scarlet Crusade, nobles flocked from human fiefdoms across the Eastern Kingdoms to Tirisfal Glades.

This land was once the capital of Lordaeron.

Relying on their noble status or their pre-war titles as members of the Noble Council, they frequently put pressure on the Scarlet Crusade.

They demanded that the Crusaders return all the rights that had once belonged to them, that they regain control of the government, and that they participate in the reconstruction of Lordaeron.

These things are no secret within the Scarlet Crusade.

In an effort to undermine the Scarlet Crusade, the nobles continuously courted commanders at all levels within the force, releasing various messages throughout the military.

No one has forgotten that the Scarlet Crusade originated from the Knights of the Silver Hand.

That once glorious knightly order had long been officially disbanded by Prince Assalus.

Even with the support of the Church of the Holy Light, the Scarlet Crusade remains just a civilian armed group.

Without official legal basis or the approval of the noble council, the Scarlet Crusade were nothing more than a group of armed refugees in armor in the eyes of these established nobles.

Although most of the Crusader's mid- to high-ranking officers were members of the Silver Hand and held knightly titles, what did that matter to the powerful nobles in the Council of Nobles, who often held counts or viscounts?

Legally, the Scarlet Crusade has not made any claim to this.

-----------------

William hadn't slept all night. He rubbed the bloodshot eyes, dressed himself, and made his way to the city hall.

As soon as he stepped through the gate, he was stopped by the Crusader soldiers on duty: "Sergeant William, Commander Durand summons you and wants you to go to the Legion headquarters immediately."

William nodded slightly, suppressing the heaviness in his heart, and strode quickly toward the huge monastery complex on the mountaintop.

Guided by the waiting guards, William was led to a side room where he waited.

However, the room was not well soundproofed, and loud conversations could be heard coming from next door.

He realized that the office of Commander Durand was across the street, so he stood up, leaned close to the wall, and listened intently.

"According to the scouts' reconnaissance, nobles in various regions are stirring up trouble. They are expanding their armies, forging weapons, and gathering food in their territories."

"Are they preparing to go to war with us? How could they do this? Can Lordaeron afford such internal strife?"

"But what can we do? Really fight them? We finally received the blessing of the Holy Light. How can we use this blessing for internal strife?"

"To be honest, there's absolutely no need for this. Thinking about it here is pointless. Those noble lords want to fight us? Let them fight! If they truly care about Lordaeron, why would they force us to hand over our army at this time? If they are truly legitimate, why hasn't the Holy Light blessed them?"

"Yes! Right now, we have the biggest fist! Although we lack the legal legitimacy of the Menethil royal family, we have the grace of the Holy Light! If they want to fight us, then let those nobles' private armies see the might of the Crusaders!"

"No! We can ignore the nobles' threats. But the people below cannot withstand the nobles' coercion."

William instinctively leaned closer to the wall, and his voice became much clearer.

"Serious ideological fluctuations have occurred among the lower and middle-ranking officers, and they are spreading the news throughout the city. Once the Council incorporates the Scarlet Crusade, it will become the regular military force of Lordaeron. It can then rightfully obtain all the rights it deserves, both within the kingdom and legitimately."

"For them, it makes no difference who they are fighting the Scourge under. As for the Scarlet Crusade... it's just an unofficial military group formed by us Silver Hand members."

"The power lies with the Council of Nobles. This is something that everyone in Lordaeron, all noble groups, including you and me, has acknowledged since the city's founding. Most of us knights agree. How could we possibly contend with the Council of Nobles, which represents the official authority of Lordaeron?"

"Wouldn't that be betraying the entire kingdom? You'd be treated as a traitor by everyone and taken to court."

"We cannot deny... the vast majority of soldiers yearn for recognition from Lordaeron. We... are too insignificant. If Highlord Mograine were still alive, or perhaps Highlord Tirion Fordring, only they could withstand this pressure."

"As I said, instead of everyone craving official recognition and being bought off one by one by high-ranking officials and riches in parliament, it's better for everyone to lay everything out in the open. If you want us to accept this condition, we can openly accept the command of parliament."

"However! In private, we'll remain the same as before, just under a different name. From now on, we'll only be responsible for military affairs, no longer managing civil administration; everything else will be handled by the Noble Council. We can accept their leadership, but they must guarantee our logistical support."

"Yes, you're right. The noble lords have grasped this point; they're convinced we'll accept their demands. So they've given us only one option—to be incorporated into the council, accept their unified management, obey their commands, and naturally become the new regular army of Lordaeron."

"There's nothing wrong with thinking that way. At least everyone's title can be promoted from knight to baron, and they can have their own fiefdom."

"If that's really the case, then we'll have no autonomy anymore."

"Let me think about it some more..." Durand's weary voice came through. "Calm the soldiers down. No matter what, don't forget what the Scarlet Crusade was founded for."

.........

The air in the side room was oppressive, and William stood silently in place.

He subconsciously compared what he heard with what the stranger had said the night before.

Although he understood the pressure the Crusaders' leadership faced, he also harbored some resentment. Because none of them truly cared about the lives of the lower classes. Their words contained not a single trace of concern for the common people.

William's feelings were extremely complicated.

Guided by his attendants, William was brought before Durand, the current high commander of the Scarlet Crusade.

William raised his hand in salute: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Sergeant William is reporting for duty."

Durand looked up at him, wearily raised his chin, and gestured for him to sit in the chair in front of him.

Once seated, William had the mind to observe the current leader of the Scarlet Crusade.

Durand was tall and middle-aged, with a ramrod-straight back. His scarred, blood-red Crusader armor gleamed.

Several scars on his face were marks left from his time fighting alongside Highlord Mograine. His deep eyes were filled with weariness, and his high position had cultivated a dignified air.

"Don't be nervous, son." Durand looked at the silent William, his tone softening. "I called you here to hear your thoughts."

"What?" William looked up at the old man.

"You've done a great job in the slums lately, calming the emotions of the civilians. And you've also gained the support of those outsiders."

"Strangers are all favored by Elune, the moon goddess. Being able to befriend them means that Elune is also paying close attention to you."

"What do you mean?" William didn't understand why the Grand Commander was saying all this. But he had a feeling it wasn't a good thing.

"I've been told by strangers over the years that the Scarlet Crusade met a tragic end in their world," Durand sighed. "I find it hard to believe, but I have no choice but to."

"Because the moon goddess does not lie. The moon goddess created everything here."

"So?" William countered, "Commander, you want me to talk to the strangers? To get the Scarlet Crusade out of its current predicament from them?"

"I cannot accept the answers given to me by strangers. Nor can I accept the many absurd ideas they offer," Durand shook his head in refusal. "Our world is different from theirs; I cannot betray my identity."

William looked up at Durand, carefully considering his words, and asked, "So, what's your view on the ordinary people in the areas controlled by your crusaders?"

"If we truly become the regular army of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, what will they gain?"